officiate

verb

of·​fi·​ci·​ate ə-ˈfi-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce officiate (audio)
officiated; officiating

intransitive verb

1
: to perform a ceremony, function, or duty
officiate at a wedding
2
: to act in an official capacity : act as an official (as at a sports contest)

transitive verb

1
: to carry out (an official duty or function)
2
: to serve as a leader or celebrant of (a ceremony)
3
: to administer the rules of (a game or sport) especially as a referee or umpire
officiation noun

Examples of officiate in a Sentence

The bishop officiated the memorial Mass. Two referees officiated the hockey game.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During the ceremony, which was officiated by Rob McCoy and Dave Osokow, Liddell and Rae exchanged heartfelt vows and wedding rings from Happy Jewelers and Giantto. Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025 But the fan doesn’t have enforceable rights regarding how the team plays, how the games are coached or officiated or—in the case of Garcia—whether a player’s possible retirement somehow impacts the historical qualities of the game. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025 This is now a rising, maturing team with enough mental toughness to put away bad opponents despite bad luck and maddening officiating. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025 Other Auburn fans chose more emotive ways of showing their displeasure as the SEC officiating crew left the field through a corner tunnel at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night. Seth Emerson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for officiate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin officiātus, past participle of officiāre "to perform a function, perform priestly duties," going back to Late Latin officiārī "to perform a function," derivative of Latin officium "duty, office"

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of officiate was in 1623

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Officiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/officiate. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

officiate

verb
of·​fi·​ci·​ate ə-ˈfish-ē-ˌāt How to pronounce officiate (audio)
officiated; officiating
1
: to perform a ceremony
officiate at a wedding
2
: to act as an officer
officiated at the annual meeting
3
: to enforce the rules of (a game or sport)
officiate a soccer match

More from Merriam-Webster on officiate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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